Support the Implementation of the PPIS Survey Data!

URGENT!  Your 2010 Payment Increase At Risk!

Despite the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) decision to implement the Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS) survey data beginning with the 2010 Physician Fee Schedule, our payment increase (8% increase over 4 years) remains at risk with one physician group making a big push to use legislation to halt implementation.  A media and congressional blitz this week is a direct threat to the 2010 Schedule and we must educate Congress to prevent their intervention in the rule going forward.  ACT NOW – contact your Members of Congress in support of the PPIS and implementation of the 2010 fee schedule.

For several years the practice expense (PE) value component of the schedule has resulted in inequitable payments to physical therapy.  Those specialties with newer PE data, like Cardiology, have received significant payment increases at our expense.

Fortunately, CMS has moved to correct this problem by fully accepting and implementing the PPIS beginning January 1, 2010.  Unfortunately, our increase is at risk because those that were negatively affected by the survey, especially the American College of Cardiology, have publicly declared that they will “use every legal, legislative, regulatory and grassroots resource at their disposal to halt its implementation.”

Already, they are disseminating misinformation to Congress.  For example, they are claiming that Cardiology is facing cuts of up to 40% when in reality their total cut will be just 8%.   They blame the PPIS for ‘putting cardiologists out of business’ when there are several factors leading to their 8% decrease including RUC revisions and imaging equipment utilization policy.

What You Can Do!

We need your help now.  The opponents of the PPIS continue to wage an extensive, multi-million dollar campaign to halt the implementation of PPIS in the 2010 Medicare Fee Schedule.   It is critical that you contact your Members of Congress today to share your side of the story and explain the real facts on this issue.

Click the "take action" button below to contact your Members of Congress TODAY to support the implementation of the Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS) data.

If you have any questions please contact APTA Government Affairs at 1/800-999-2782, ext. 8533 or advocacy@apta.org.  Thank you for your support.